USAID Tuhifadhi Maliasili Activity Monthly Report – July 2021

The project began in 2021 with the hiring of nine permanent staff members by RTI International, the project's implementing partner. The team started working remotely but effectively from July 1, 2021. The project has three main objectives: building institutional capacities of public and private stakeholders, increasing private sector engagement in biodiversity conservation and natural resource management, and improving the policy, regulatory, and enabling environment for biodiversity conservation and NRM. The team has started making contacts with partners, including government institutions and private sector actors, to discuss potential collaboration opportunities. The project has also started drafting its Communication Strategy and Grants Manual, which will guide communication and grant-making activities throughout the project lifetime. The team has held discussions with the USAID Natural Resources Management (NRM) team to understand key partners and stakeholders to include in coordinating the NRM implementing partners meetings. The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team has started organizing virtual meetings to discuss the tasks and procedures for preparing the FY22 workplan. The team will draft the MEL plan, which will include a Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation (CLA) plan and Monitoring and Evaluation Reference Sheets (PIRS). The startup team has been busy with various tasks, including recruitment, finance, and procurement. The team has employed nine permanent staff members, including a Chief of Party, Knowledge Management and Learning Specialist, and Communications Team Lead. The team has also advertised five positions, including an Accountant, HR Manager, and Grants Assistant, and has selected a candidate for the HR Manager position. The project has also made progress in setting up its office in Masaki area, with a contract set to start on August 16, 2021. The team is expecting to receive computer equipment and internet services for the office in August. The project has also started drafting content for a project brochure and has initiated discussions with the USAID Tanzania and Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT) to establish stronger relationships. The project's Communication Strategy is being reviewed and will be finalized in August 2021. The team has also started drafting a Grants Manual, which will be ready for submission following the schedule established in the Activity contract. The project's Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) plan will include a Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation (CLA) plan and Monitoring and Evaluation Reference Sheets (PIRS).